It’s Time to Ditch Dishwasher Germs!

You probably think of your dishwasher as a handy kitchen appliance that you can’t live without. But it’s so much more than that—it’s also your best defense against kitchen contaminants. That’s because it sanitizes everything that goes into it—from juice glasses to cutting boards, and even the sponges you use to wipe down your counters.

The key is to keep your “dry” cycle turned on. During the drying cycle, the dishwasher reaches temperatures of at least 170°F. And that’s the magic number when it comes to attacking harmful microbes.

So if you’ve turned your “dry” cycle off in an effort to save energy, switch it back on. And then run everything through that’s dishwasher safe—especially anything that comes in contact with raw meat and fish.

Between cycles, be sure to clean your dishwasher. Gunk, grime, and mineral deposits can make it work harder than it has to, so here’s a few ways to keep it hummin’ along:

·        Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into a sturdy mug or bowl, set it in the top rack of your dishwasher, and run through a cycle on the hottest setting—with nothing else inside.

·        Cut greasy crud with a simple bleach treatment. Pour 1 cup of bleach into the bottom surface, and run it through a full cycle.

·        To tackle mineral deposits, use the bleach treatment (above), then when the cycle is finished, pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the bottom, and run it through again.

·        Freshen up the insides by using Coca-Cola® to clean up the crud. Pour a 2-liter bottle of the real thing (use the “classic,” not diet, version) into the bottom of your machine, and run it through a full cycle. And if the bottom tray is really grungy, let it soak for a few minutes before you start the cycle.

·        Denture-cleaning tablets will dissolve dishwasher grime in no time at all. So if you have plenty of tablets on hand, drop a couple in the bottom of your empty dishwasher, and run it through a regular cycle.

For more tips, tricks, and tonics for cleaning everything in your home, check out my Cleaning Magic! book, FREE for 21 days. You’ll discover thousands of dirt-defying and dust-busting secrets that’ll make any mess disappear in a flash.

Lots of folks rely on the sinus-clearing, nostril-soothing benefits of using a neti pot (an Aladdin’s lamp-like container with a small spout, which you can find at a drug store). In fact, some people like the remedy so much that they use it every day—whether they have a stuffy nose or not.

But all good things must come with a warning, and here’s the latest on this trendy treatment: Don’t use tap water in your neti pot. It turns out that Naegleria fowleri, the so-called “brain-eating” amoeba, could be lurking in ordinary water. Two Louisiana residents died recently after using neti pots with tap water that was infected with the nasty parasite, which enters the body through nasal passages and causes a deadly form of meningitis.

If you’re like most folks who use ordinary tap water in your neti pot, it’s not time to panic. After all, the amoebas are very rare, and have affected only about 35 people in the U.S. since 2000. But there’s no harm in playing it safe, and switching to distilled or boiled water (cooled to body temperature) to rinse out your sinuses.

Here’s how to safely use a neti pot:

1.   Mix approximately ¼ teaspoon of fine table salt into 1 cup of distilled water that’s been warmed to body temperature, or boiled water that’s been cooled.

2.   Lean over a sink and turn your head so your left nostril is lower than your right, keeping your head tilted so your nose is higher than your mouth.

3.   Pour the solution into your right nostril, allowing the water to drain from your left nostril and your mouth.

4.   Gently blow your nose, without plugging either nostril.

5.   Repeat with the other nostril.

Be sure to clean your neti pot after each use with warm water and dishwashing liquid. (Or check with the manufacturer to see if your pot is dishwasher safe.)

For even more healthy hints that’ll have you feelin’ fine in no time, check out my Amazing Antidotes book—FREE for 21 days!

Trick Your Body into Losing Weight!

So how are your New Year’s Resolutions holding up? If your goal for 2012 was to lose weight, chances are you’ve all but given up at this point. Don’t do it! Instead, ditch the diet and go about losing weight in a whole new way: Trick yourself thin!

These crazy techniques might sound too good to be true, but they’re kind of fun, so why not give them a try? You’ve got nothing to lose—except a pound or two, of course. Here goes:

1.   Tighten your belt. Put away the loose sweatpants and baggy t-shirts. Wearing tight clothes to dinner will remind you that you could stand to lose a few pounds.

2.   Brush your teeth right after a meal. The minty flavor of the toothpaste will help satisfy your sweet tooth.

3.   Avoid distracted dining. Turn off the TV and savor the food you’re putting in your mouth.

4.   Watch yourself eat. Munching in front of a mirror can help you keep your weight loss goals in mind and curb your appetite.

5.   Eat with your other hand. Studies have found that if you use your non-dominant hand, you’ll eat 30 percent less food.

6.   Savor the smells. Frequently sniff an apple, banana, or peppermint, and you’ll trick your brain into thinking you’ve eaten. A six-month study of 3,000 participants showed that they lost an average of 30 pounds using this technique!

For more terrific tips to help you reach your weight-loss goal, check out my Amazing Antidotes book—FREE for 21 days! It’s chock-full of idea that’ll whittle your waist and melt away the pounds.

Keep Your Cool and Stay Warm!

Instead of cranking up the old thermostat to stay warm this winter, try a few of these trouble-free tricks that won’t cost you a dime.

·        Lower your thermostat by 1 degree each day for a few days. When you find a temperature that’s comfortable, make it your permanent daytime setting.

·        Seal up any gaps around windows and doors with caulk or weather-stripping.

·        Install a programmable thermostat and turn the temperature down while you’re sleeping and anytime you’ll be away for more than a few hours.

·        Take advantage of the most powerful “furnace” of all to warm things up. Ol’ Sol’s heating power will send your indoor temps soaring, even in the coldest weather. So keep your window coverings open during the day. Then as soon as the sun sets, close them tight to hold in the warmth.

And be sure to keep your windows sparkly clean, inside and out, because even a thin film of dirt will block out a whole lot of light. My Super Warm-Up Window Cleaner will keep your windows clear, spotless, and free of wintertime grime, so the sun’s rays can shine through with all of their welcome warming power. Here’s how to whip up a batch:

Mix ½ cup of distilled white vinegar, ¾ cup of rubbing alcohol, and ½ cup of warm water in a handheld sprayer bottle. Spray the cleaner onto the glass, and wipe it away with paper towels or crumpled up newspaper. That’s all there is to it!

 

Want more tips, tricks, and tonics for cleaning everything inside—and outside your house? Check out my Cleaning Magic! book, FREE for 21 days. You’ll discover thousands of dirt-defying and dust-busting secrets that’ll make any mess disappear in a flash.

Make Some Noise This New Year’s Eve!

Did you ever wonder why it’s traditional to make lots of noise on New Year’s Eve? According to lore, it’s not just the sound of celebrating—if it’s loud enough, it’ll also drive out evil spirits and bring you luck in the coming year. So grab a noise maker and make a racket!

What you choose to eat on New Year’s Eve can also be an indicator of luck in the coming year. According to custom, you should forego chicken (which scratches backwards) and beef (since cows stand still) for pork, because pigs root forward, and therefore, you’ll be moving forward in the days to come.

Here’s how to liven up pork chops or pork loin for your New Year’s Eve feast with a tropical marinade:

In a large bowl, mix ½ cup of orange juice, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano. Marinate the pork for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Discard the marinade. Then fork up your good luck!

Happy New Year!

Don’t Pop That Blister, Mister!

Ho, ho, hooo, boy! Has a day of hustling, bustling, and last-minute Christmas shopping left your feet feeling sore and—yikes!—blistered? Well whatever you do, don’t pop them! Here’s the right way to tend to the troubling bubbles so you’ll be back on your feet just in time for your holiday feast.

·        Let it breathe. Even though it’s good to protect a blister with a bandage, you want to expose it to the air for at least 20 minutes a day. A little air circulation will help protect the area from infection-causing bacteria, which thrive in dark, moist places.

·        Lace tight. When putting on running or other sports shoes, be sure to lace them up properly, so your feet are held firmly in place. Otherwise, they’ll rub around against the insides of the shoes and create an even bigger problem.

·        Wash away the germs. The best way to keep infection-causing germs out of blisters is to clean them (and the surrounding skin) once or twice a day. Wash the area well with soap and water, then dry it thoroughly. Too much moisture will soften the blister and make it more likely to break open before it’s ready.

·        No worries with “wort.” The herb St. John’s wort is great for killing germs and easing pain. Use an alcohol-based tincture, available at health food stores, to moisten a square of gauze, then apply it to the blister after you’ve washed it.

The only time blisters are really dangerous is when they get infected. If the pain is getting worse, or if you notice the area is swelling or turning red, apply an over-the-counter triple antibiotic ointment a few times a day. If that doesn’t do the trick, see a doctor.

Merry Christmas!

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Perky poinsettias all season long!

There’s no plant more popular this time of year than the poinsettia—except perhaps the Christmas tree itself! If you’re the lucky recipient of one of these room-brightening flowers, keep it lush and lovely through the season—and beyond—by following these tips:

1.   Poinsettias like full sun, so keep yours near a light source, but sheltered from drafts. If you set your poinsettia on a windowsill, place a piece of cardboard between the plant and the window at night to protect it from chilly air.

2.   Water your plant regularly and thoroughly, but don’t ever let it stand in water.

3.   If your poinsettia’s foliage starts to yellow, the plant is probably not getting enough light or nitrogen, or is being watered too much. Set it in a brighter location, give it a dose of all-purpose fertilizer, and hold off on the watering until the top of the soil has dried out.

4.   Leaves will start to wilt if the plant is too dry or exposed to a draft. So move it to a more sheltered spot and perk it up with a drink.

For more holiday houseplant helpers, check out my Terrific Garden Tonics book—FREE for 21 days. The tips, tricks, and tonics inside will help you show off your green thumb both indoors and out!